Hey everyone I am home and trying to relax. I will tell you that compared to the last time this really hurt, and to think that some opt for no anestesia dont understand that. I had the areas of C2,3,4,5&6 done and at times it felt lik someone was trying to split my vertabrae in two. And when the abaltion was done on two of the nerves they reacted quite violently twitching much more than the other four. My only thought is that possibly he actually was able to get a good read and shot on the nerve and I will actually get some long term releif. Lets hope so.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

Damon, how soon before you know if you had good results or not? I hope that it was well worth the pain and that you have much more mobility and much less pain.

Damon,
I hope you NEVER have to go through this again!!! I'm flinching just reading the description...YOU ARE ONE TOUGH HOMBRE, my friend! Got my fingers crossed that this is the end of your pain.

The steroid wears off in about three to four days and I will have an idea as to initial success which I did have the last time. It is the long term success I am looking for. If this doesnt work I do have another option but I will have to pay out of pocket and the cost will be determined as to which clinic it is done at.

All that know me here understand my life revolves around cycling and if I wasnt doing it I would not even seek the procedure. So if this is only short term relief I will seek what ever can be done to help. I am continuing my acupuncture as it helps from day to day management and as soon as I am able (Saturday) I will be back on the bike.

Sending well wishes your way. I sure do hope that this does the trick. Let's end 2007 pain-free!

Damon, I'm glad you came through the procedure okay. I hope you have more long term success with this procedure. I second Kim's sentiments that you end 2007 and then into 2008 painfree. Hugs.

Its now one week out and we figured out why the procedure was painful this time. When the IV was inserted there was some question as to the depth but they decided to go ahead with it. In talking to my friend who is a pain doc he said it shouldnt have really hurt at all and it's possible that the proper amount of anestesia was not introduced.

So how is it one week out? The good news is that I have had actualy no neck pain and have gotten two rides in. The first of the bad news is that I had to increase my pain med prior to the procedure and because I didnt need it I stoped taking it afterwards. Mind you I was only taking an average of 2 to 3 pills a week up until the last 2 weeks where because of some work mishaps and the fact our kitchen is getting torn out tomorrow I have been moving stuff, I hurt my back and was taking one a night. I took my last pill on the evening after the procedure and was ok until this past Saturday when I started getting sick from you guessed it withdrawls. I was just feeling better yesterday and was just about back to normal and I twisted my back again so last night and tonight pain med again.

So bad news #2 withdrawls. Hopefully I will feel well enough tomorrow to skip the meds and see how I react on Thursday. I have been using this med for a year and never had a problem. I quit using several times for weeks at a time but not this time. I will get through it and move on.

If I can get another week of total releif in my neck I will be happy as last time it was never total. This will give us a starting point and I can then start to plan next years cycling goals. Having fun riding again will be so wonderful.

Damon, hope all of this yields good things for you!
Thanks for taking the time to check in...
{gentle hugs} ouch

hey Damon
just a quick fyi
cold and allergy meds help to relieve some of the withdrawl from pain meds
i was on 100 mcg patchs of fentanol for almost a year before wls and i take extra strength
vicodin now
with warm weather i do not need it so i go through withdrawl every spring
because i do not need it once it is not cold and damp
and i know the shakes and creepy crawlyes well
and the cold medicine does help
makes it doable but awesome on being able to come off them from the procedure
i have never had much relief from the procedures